President Barack Obama proclaimed November 2012 as National Native American Heritage month calling upon all Americans to "commemorate this month with appropriate programs and to celebrate November 23, 2012 as Native American Heritage Day. As the first people to live on the land we all cherish, American Indians and Alaska Natives, have profoundly shaped our country's character and our cultural heritage. Today, Native Americans are leaders in every aspect of our society - from the classroom to the boardroom to the battlefield."

While many may have heard distorted stories about Pilgrims and Indians, others may be more familiar with the Puritan's stories than those of the first people. I just learned that my own great great grandmother was a Tuscarora Indian.

Last November, I visited Pilgrim Hall, our nation's oldest operating museum located in the center of Plymouth, Massachusetts. I discovered many historical facts and my attention was drawn to the Native American and pilgrim artifacts among the permanent collections, the text of the Mayflower Compact, revolutionary war papers, the names of Native American and Black soldiers from Plymouth County, paintings, early books, and Geneva Bible translations. The Geneva Bible, owned by William Bradford, Pilgrim Governor, was most commonly used by the Pilgrims and believed to have made the journey in the Mayflower. Although the Native Indians wrote many documents in their own languages, many of these documents didn't survive. Today, many of the Wampanoags (People of the Dawn) who arrived 10,000 years before settlers, are revitalizing their own language.

History came alive there as I watched "One Small Candle," the story of the founding of America and many of its traditions; people of diverse backgrounds facing unknown fears yet coming together with courage and conviction. Picture this: In 1621, Samsoset, the first native that the Pilgrims encountered, walked boldly into their encampment, saluted the astonished white men and announced: "Welcome! Welcome, Englishmen!" in English. Samsoset arranged meetings between other Indians; Squanto and Massasoit, the Chief of the Wampanoag tribe. "Massasoit" means the great leader. Samsoset provided much beneficial help, giving the Pilgrims information about the land's resources and teaching the pilgrims how to fish, plant, and harvest crops. They bonded, in spite of differences, and made a peace treaty which went unbroken for 50 years. That first Thanksgiving ninety Wampanoag men brought slaughtered deer; everyone joined and gave thanks to their Creator. This large extended family shared a common light and love by breaking bread together in joyful and peaceful unity. Do we not remember that we are all connected?

"We forget so we consider ourselves superior. But we are, after all, a mere part of the creation and we must consider to understand where we are and we stand somewhere between the mountain and the ant. Somewhere, and only there, is a past and parcel of the creation." Chief Oren Lyons, Onondaga, from "Elders Meditation of the Day, The Wisdom"

Every human being gains strength from a greater power beyond ourselves since we are all souls, all part of God. If we become too self-absorbed we may believe we are superior beings. Have you heard this following tale about two wolves which is probably an anonymous Cherokee parable.

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

"One is evil, he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego. The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you and inside every other person, too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "which wolf will win?" The old chief simply replied, "the one you feed."

A Cherokee Prayer: "O great Spirit help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and to remember the peace that may be found in silence."

Help us God to restore Oneness with YOU and live harmoniously with each other to see, respect, and honor all creations. God bless America! Amen